Citizenship interview went wrong

[Clovoar 0]

I just had my citizenship interview this morning and the officer was VERY unfriendly. I’m applying under the 5year rule and I got my green card through marriage. We had a legit lawful marriage and divorced one year after becoming a permanent resident.

I passed my civics and English test and when the officer got to asking me about my past marriage he started accusing me of doing marriage fraud and mocking me after every answer. He kept saying “they all say that” after anything I said… He had a big file in front of him and all the pictures and evidence we provided back then applying for a green card and said all the pictures look “whack” even though they clearly show a legit marriage and document our life together. It seemed like he was trying really HARD to get me to say that it was a fraud as he kept saying “its time for you to admit”  not sure if he was just bluffing and it’s a common interview to see who actually bust fraud marriages? But I am planning on hiring a lawyer and me and my ex wife have a bunch of evidence to prove our marriage in case the application gets denied. I would appreciate any advice! Thank you! 

[OldUser 6,588]

56 minutes ago, Clovoar said:

I just had my citizenship interview this morning and the officer was VERY unfriendly. I’m applying under the 5year rule and I got my green card through marriage. We had a legit lawful marriage and divorced one year after becoming a permanent resident.

I passed my civics and English test and when the officer got to asking me about my past marriage he started accusing me of doing marriage fraud and mocking me after every answer. He kept saying “they all say that” after anything I said… He had a big file in front of him and all the pictures and evidence we provided back then applying for a green card and said all the pictures look “whack” even though they clearly show a legit marriage and document our life together. It seemed like he was trying really HARD to get me to say that it was a fraud as he kept saying “its time for you to admit”  not sure if he was just bluffing and it’s a common interview to see who actually bust fraud marriages? But I am planning on hiring a lawyer and me and my ex wife have a bunch of evidence to prove our marriage in case the application gets denied. I would appreciate any advice! Thank you! 

I think you should have walked into the interview with the lawyer. Divorce shortly after GC can result in more scrutiny. Let us know how it goes.

[Clovoar 0]

23 minutes ago, OldUser said:

I think you should have walked into the interview with the lawyer. Divorce shortly after GC can result in more scrutiny. Let us know how it goes.

I did some research on this before the interview and most people said that a divorce shouldn’t affect your case because I’ve been a permanent resident for over 5years. I mean I thought they might ask but never thought it would be a straightforward accusation. Hoping it’ll goes well and they approve my application. Otherwise I will get a lawyer and go from there. 

[Crazy Cat 41,771]

10 minutes ago, Clovoar said:

I mean I thought they might ask but never thought it would be a straightforward accusation.

This is unusual.  You might want to start looking for an attorney. 

[Clovoar 0]

11 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

This is unusual.  You might want to start looking for an attorney. 

Thank you! I will, do you recommend to get one now or wait until a decision on my case is made? Because it’s still under review. 

[OldUser 6,588]

2 hours ago, Clovoar said:

Thank you! I will, do you recommend to get one now or wait until a decision on my case is made? Because it’s still under review. 

You might as well a second interview. Or maybe you'll just get an approval and all of this fuss was just to test you out.

[Boiler 45,434]

I wonder if the ex has said something.

[Clovoar 0]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

I wonder if the ex has said something.

Me and her are still on good terms and often check on each other. As far as I know she hasn’t.

[Boiler 45,434]

It seems someone said something

[Clovoar 0]

11 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Or maybe you'll just get an approval and all of this fuss was just to test you out.

I hope so! It seemed like he was trying too hard to get me to confess something we didnt do. We were married for 3years and many marriages end in divorce. 

[Clovoar 0]

5 minutes ago, Boiler said:

It seems someone said something

I really can’t think of anyone that would do such thing. I would assume the officer would’ve mentioned that as well. Anyways, we do have evidence of the legitimacy of the marriage… videos, photos and memories. I’m not sure whether to wait for them to make a decision before hiring an attorney.. (it might just get approved) or get one now? 

[nastra30 2,284]

11 hours ago, Clovoar said:

said all the pictures look “whack”

Wow. He really said this? 

 

Hopefully, you get approved after all this. Wait for final decision, and if it's unfavorable decision appeal with help of lawyer. Good luck.

[Bob in Boston 698]

8 hours ago, Clovoar said:

I really can’t think of anyone that would do such thing. I would assume the officer would’ve mentioned that as well. Anyways, we do have evidence of the legitimacy of the marriage… videos, photos and memories. I’m not sure whether to wait for them to make a decision before hiring an attorney.. (it might just get approved) or get one now? 

What is your home country? Can make a difference with their attitude.

[am2352 14]

What did the officer say at the end? Normally, they hand you N652 with the outcome marked. Did they give you something of that sort?

[carmel34 3,620]

9 hours ago, Clovoar said:

Anyways, we do have evidence of the legitimacy of the marriage… videos, photos and memories.

If they bring you back in for a second interview, or deny your N-400 and you re-apply, you will need more than videos and photos to overcome their concerns that your marriage was not real, just for a green card.  You said you were an LPR for one year before you divorced, so you should have joint bank account statements, documents showing joint ownership of property, joint lease or home mortgage/deed, utility bills showing the same address, joint health insurance, etc. from that one year period.  Videos and photos won't be enough if they doubt the legitimacy of your marriage and ask you for more evidence.  Good luck!